Quest. re: taking video on my digi camera and night-time shots

[masonsmousermom]

I have a Kodak EZ share Z740, and I have only ever used it to point and shoot. I will be returning to Disney at the end of September for the third time this year, and it's time to slow down and enjoy the moment.

What better way to capture the moment than good pics and maybe some video?

I need some good advice or links to how to get better night-time shots. I've read the camera manual and visited the Kodak site, and basically it sounds like their suggestion is to just hold the camera very still.

We're going to MNSSHP and I am really worried that all of the night's events will be lost because my camera won't be able to capture the dark images.

I'd also like to take some video using my digi camera and need some basic advice like how much video can I take without "eating up" all of my memory for pics, how to upload it to my laptop, and any other tips or advice.

Please Help! If my questions have been asked before, I apologize in advance. I'm new to the DIS boards and I haven't figured out how to search the forums.

Thanks!

 

[Master Mason]

I have a Kodak EZ share Z740, and I have only ever used it to point and shoot. I will be returning to Disney at the end of September for the third time this year, and it's time to slow down and enjoy the moment.

What better way to capture the moment than good pics and maybe some video?

I need some good advice or links to how to get better night-time shots. I've read the camera manual and visited the Kodak site, and basically it sounds like their suggestion is to just hold the camera very still.

We're going to MNSSHP and I am really worried that all of the night's events will be lost because my camera won't be able to capture the dark images.

I'd also like to take some video using my digi camera and need some basic advice like how much video can I take without "eating up" all of my memory for pics, how to upload it to my laptop, and any other tips or advice.

Please Help! If my questions have been asked before, I apologize in advance. I'm new to the DIS boards and I haven't figured out how to search the forums.

Thanks!

a tripod will help you hold it stead for the night shots.

if you have the adjustments, I have heard ISO 200, with long exposure works well. Your best bet is to take the camera out now and take pictures to experiment, then you'll know what your doing when you get to disney and it matters.

 

[all4fun]

I bumped up the "Show me your low light & flashless picures" thread. There are quite a few night shots and some information given as well. Very inspiring. I hope you find it helpful!

 

[seashoreCM]

Sometimes you want to take pictures at night and have everything come out reasonably bright, but you need totally different settings (night setting or manual controls) to properly show the electrical parade or fireworks or Osborne Lights.

Using the normal automatic setting at night for fireworks or Christmas lights will usually result in loss of all the color.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[handicap18]

Typically the video feature on a digital P&S is not very good. I don't know the specifics of your camera, but a lot will only take about 30 to 60 seconds at a time, frames per second are very slow and not very good quality (especially compared to a regular video camera) (this camera will do 20FPS but at a very small playback size).

As for the night shots. Kinda tough, according to a quick review I looked at, ISO 800 on this camera is only available in 1.8MP picture quality. So my suggestion is to get a pocket sized tripod (normally cost less than $20) and attached your camera to it then place it ontop of a trash can (they are everywhere in Disney and have flat tops). This will get you very good night shots (all still pics, like of the Castle, SSE, Mickey's Hat at MGM, etc...) using a very slow shutter like 1 to 4 seconds.

Things like Spectro you can try at a slow shutter speed (maybe 1/30th) at ISO800, but even with that they may come out blured (due to subject movement) or underexposed (and also low quality). If you can, maybe try a slow synch flash. In other words (if the camera has this option) is hold the camera as steady as you can at like maybe 1/30th shutter or slower (down to 1/8th or so), then have the flash go off at the end of the exposure. This will allow the sensor to get the colors, you will get subject movement, but the flash will allow the subject to "freeze". It will definatly give a different look. I'm not promising that it will work, but try it out at home. You never know what you can come up with.

Again, I don't know all the specifics of your camera and what exactly will and wont work. Seeing that its digital, experiment. It will only cost you time.